suddenness

suddenness
    n 1: the quality of happening with headlong haste or without
         warning [syn: {abruptness}, {precipitateness},
         {precipitousness}, {precipitance}, {precipitancy},
         {suddenness}]
    

Sudden \Sud"den\, a. [OE. sodian, sodein, OF. sodain, sudain, F.
   soudain, L. subitaneus, fr. subitus sudden, that has come
   unexpectedly, p. p. of subire to come on, to steal upon; sub
   under, secretly + ire to go. See {Issue}, and cf.
   {Subitaneous}.]
   1. Happening without previous notice or with very brief
      notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common
      preparation; immediate; instant; speedy. "O sudden wo!"
      --Chaucer. "For fear of sudden death." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            Sudden fear troubleth thee.           --Job xxii.
                                                  10.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hastly prepared or employed; quick; rapid.
      [1913 Webster]

            Never was such a sudden scholar made. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            The apples of Asphaltis, appearing goodly to the
            sudden eye.                           --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate. [Obs.] --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Unexpected; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for.
        [1913 Webster] -- {Sud"den*ly}, adv. -- {Sud"den*ness},
        n.
        [1913 Webster]
    

28 Moby Thesaurus words for "suddenness":
      abruptness, alacrity, expeditiousness, feverishness, furiousness,
      haste, hastiness, hurriedness, impatience, impetuosity,
      impetuousness, impulsiveness, inexpectation, overhastiness,
      precipitance, precipitancy, precipitateness, precipitation,
      precipitatousness, precipitousness, promptness, quickness,
      rashness, recklessness, speed, swiftness, unanticipation,
      unexpectedness